engleski

Sexual problems in patients suffering from multiple scleroris

Objective. Sexuality is an important element of everyone's personality, yet it is not much researched in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Croatia. The aim of this study was to establish the frequency and correlations of sexual problems in MS patients and to compare it to patients suffering from depression. Methods. MS patients sexual functioning was assessed using Arizona Sexual Experience Scale. The Scale assesses different aspects of the sexual cycle. The functional status due to MS was assessed by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). 40 MS patients were compared to 40 patients with depression, of the same age and gender. Results. Half of the MS patients described different sexual problems, regardless of gender, educational level, or smoking. The highest correlation was with age. Only arousal problems were correlated with duration of MS, even when controlled for age. There was no correlation with EDSS score. Patients with depression had more sexual problems in all of the domains. Patients with depression also smoked more often and were more obese. Only two of the MS patients thought they need professional help for their sexual problems, while one third of patients with depression thought the same. Conclusions. MS patients have sexual problems more often than the general population, but less often than patients with depression. The frequency of sexual problems is not related to the functional disability due to MS. The main risk factor for sexual problems in MS is age.

seksualni problemi; multipla skleroza; depresija

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